The 3 Best Herbs to Naturally Treat Your Dog’s Upset Stomach

Humans used herbs for various health issues for centuries. Even today, you can find them in our kitchens. And this natural medication can also help dogs with stomach upset.

Do you know that humans spend over $32 billion dollars on pet medicine and vet care every year? According to the American Pet Products, some of these medications may have toxic ingredients are still being sold, and are popular because some owners want the convenience these chemical treatments provide for their dogs and cats.

This isn't the only way to treat certain health issues in dogs, however. You can actually get the same convenience from using natural herbal medicine for your dogs with upset stomach and a few other issues. Sick canines in the wild thousands of years ago used to instinctively eat certain plants to relieve them of stomach problems. So, here are some of the best herbs to naturally treat your dogs when they have an upset stomach.

Ginger

Gingerhas many scientifically proven medicinal properties and humans have benefited from this powerful root for many centuries. Ginger is known to provide relief in pregnant women with morning sickness, nausea or vomiting. It works the same way for dogs who have frequent vomiting episodes due to gastric problems, according to the VCA Hospital.

This natural medicine comes in several forms. If you'd like to administer it in your dog raw, just cut off the skin and grind or finely chop the root so that it's easier to swallow. Ideally, you must give half a teaspoonful to small breed dogs and 3/4 teaspoonful for large breed dogs. Mix the ginger in the dog's food if its taste is overpowering that your dog might not want to try it.

If your dog has a heart condition, however, talk to your vet first before giving this as medicine. Though it generally doesn't have any side effects, ginger may cause lowered blood sugar and blood pressure, as well as thin the blood.

Parsley

Parsley is a popular food garnish and it's readily available at any supermarket. If you intend to give it to your pet, be sure to buy Italian parsley and not spring parsley, as the latter may negatively affect your dog's health. Spring parsley has a curly appearance, so it's more used as a garnish and decoration. Italian parsley has flat leaves and tastes more robust.

Italian parsley has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to help with upset stomach or UTI. You can give this to your dog by brewing it in hot water or as a soup treat. Use a teaspoonful for a dog that weighs at least 20 pounds. Or, give it fresh and finely chopped and make parsley a part of the dog’s regular diet.

Dill

It's not as popular in the United States, but Europeans love to use dill, which belongs to the Apiaceae celery family, to make their dishes savory. It may also be the best herb to use to aid in your dog's digestion and stomach problems, according to vets on Dogs Naturally Magazine.

Dill can help ease cramping and a gassy stomach in dogs. It can also improve the dog's appetite. Apart from stomach issues, dill can also work as a breath freshener and as preventive medicine for dog gingivitis because it has antibacterial properties.

If you're feeding dill to dogs, use a teaspoonful of the herb and mix it with warm water. Let it cool down and give it to your dog as soup. You may also mix the dill in unsalted broth for a more flavorful taste for your dog.

Giving Herbal Supplements for Dogs

You may actually find these herbs in supplemental form for dogs in most health food stores for humans. These are sold in either capsule, tablet or liquid form. However, always check with the vet first before administering anything – even if it's a natural herb – as the dog might develop allergic reactions based on his current health conditions. This is especially true for herbs as supplements. Perhaps ask your vet for recommendations as well, if they have a preferred brand or manufacturer.

Camden Savage is a Phoenix based writer, vegan, cupcake addict and dog lover. Years in the animal rescue trenches have taught her every aspect of dog ownership from behavioral problems, personality and breed specific trait differences of all dogs.

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